Author Topic: Trading for a OLB5 (Read 281 times)

kalenzaj · « **on:** February 11, 2011, 04:53:25 PM »

I have a chance to swap my mint 1976 Thunderbird for a 2001 OLB5, does anyone think this is a good idea? I been playing 5 strings now for 2 years and do not play the Thunderbird since it is 4 strings.

tbrannon · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2011, 04:58:24 PM »

Welcome to the forum John.

Help me out with the OLB5 acronym.... I'm unsure of what you're referring to.

Toby

kalenzaj · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2011, 05:02:28 PM »

5 string Orion

tbrannon · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2011, 05:08:43 PM »

I don't have any idea of the street value of the Thunderbird, but for your standard 5 string Orion, you're looking at somewhere between $1500-2000, though I've seen them go higher, depending on electronics, wood selection, etc. Do you have any pictures of the Orion or information on the electronics, etc?

Not many people get their hands on an Alembic and then wish they hadn't, and it sounds as though you're playing strictly 5's now, so the move makes sense.

Have you had an opportunity to sit down and play the Orion? That would probably make your decision for you.

mike1762 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2011, 05:15:28 PM »

Those bicentennial TBs go for about $3K. Sell the TB and buy a neck-thru Alembic.

kalenzaj · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2011, 05:30:27 PM »

I have not had any luck in selling the Thunderbird. I would if I could. Seems money is tight here.I am not going to get to play the bass first which is a big gamble I know. I do have secound thoughts about the set neck. But it is an Alembic. Seems I might be loosing value. I do love the thunderbird and purchased it new but I just don't play it.The guy that has it for sale is Double D guitars in Baltimore, anyone know him.

tbrannon · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2011, 05:34:52 PM »

Just checked their website (which is very, very basic). He does have a 4 string Series I listed... never heard of Double D guitars though.

http://www.double-d-guitarstore.com/

artswork99 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2011, 06:00:57 PM »

Here's a 5'er at Double D
http://cgi.ebay.com/alembic-custom-5-string-bass-guitar-/170601711579?pt=Guitar&hash=item27b8a787db
I wonder if this might be the one you're talking about.

bigredbass · « **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2011, 11:58:04 PM »

95C9012USA s/n . . . . so it's custom, alright.

Set neck, MXY pickups with I'm guessing Vol-Pan-Bass cut/boost-Treble cut-boost (as I don't see any Q-switches), Zebrawood(?) over mahogany body, maple neck with cone peghead, 'A' Gotoh keys. As usual, I'm doubting the fingerboard has NOT been oiled (what are the 'splits' in the fingerboard?) and the brass needs cleaning. Inside looks untouched. Some handling wear.
Not sure of the body shape.

I'd agree with Mike that of course the best way would be to sell the TBird first, there's always some schnook that salivates as soon as they hear 'vintage Gibson', and a Bicentennial TBird would fit that bill, especially in mint shape. Amazing the mileage they got out of a bespoke pickguard on those neck-heavy beasts.

On the other hand, if you're playing fives exclusively, a set-neck Alembic would be a step up. Sure a neck through is preferred, but their set-necks are nothing to sneeze at either, as they're still Alembics, and more importantly have Ron's electronics in them , the real heart of the matter.

These Doulbe D guys are showing over 3,000 sales at 100%, so I doubt that would be a problem, though I'm no fan of EBay.

The really important question though is what are you after in a new (to you) instrument. This is probably a bit bigger and heavier instrument than the TBird. Soundwise, they would be somewhat similar as I don't remember any thick/bassy sounding TBirds. Does the fingerboard width look like what you're used to? What kind of bass tone do you like on recordings? Are you fingerstyle, a slapper, a pick guy, play in church, or those places your momma warned you about? Amps ? ? ?

And as much as I truly love these things and the people that build them, they are not everybody's cup of tea. You will hear things you've never heard before in your playing: They are brilliantly neutral-sounding, and some people are not up for it. Live with one, though, and it WILL make you a better player. It's like going from a spinet to a 6' grand: It's all RIGHT HERE, in your face. Some people will miss the Fender with the dead strings pretty quick . . . In my case, over time, I've let all my other axes go, nothing compares. But we have lots of guys here that own plenty other basses as well.

We can help you answer these questions, but you could help us out filling in the blanks as to what you're after. There's lots of other fives out there. If you REALLY want a neckthru Alembic, they come along form time to time, 'there will be another', so you could sit this one out.

Is this an EVEN swap? If so, I'd imagine he's in a fairly typical case of 'I can sell a Gibson, I don't know WHAT to do with THIS thing!'.

I'd also go to the 'Serial Number' post in the 'Owning an Alembic' section of the club, and Mica can supply the particulars in a couple of days.

I played piano for a lot of years. All good piano techs have SERIOUS ears, and I KNOW you'd hear the difference. We just need a little more info to tell whether you're a Baldwin guy or a Steinway guy !

Good Luck,

J o e y

mike1762 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2011, 04:17:58 AM »

Hey John... I grew-up in Carrollton, so we used to (sort-of) be neighbors.

kalenzaj · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2011, 04:47:29 AM »

Thanks for all the imput. I am a Steinway, nothing worse than a guitar player that won't play intune. Anyway the bass above is not the one.He has taken the one off the market.The one is similar but a lite color top. I have played my brothers Alembic and know the differences. After many years of playing you learn all the tricks of what certain basses do and use them to your advantage. I have decided that the value difference is too much and I will keep the T-bird for now. I would rather have the neck-thu.I have had the T-bird since new and still looks new. It has engraved parts and fretFX l.e.d.s so it is special to me. I know the guy will not be happy...but thanks all.

dfung60 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2011, 05:50:28 AM »

I'm definitely a salivating schnook about the T-Bird! I love 'em, even with the thick neck profile and somewhat odd ergonomics. I think those old chrome Thunderbird pickups have the best tone of any of the Gibson pickups of that era - much better than the EB boom buckers and better definition than the Ripper pickups (although I love everything else about the Ripper). The reissue Thunderbirds from the 80's on are very normal compared to your old guy. Hang on to it!

David Fung

bsee · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2011, 06:29:22 AM »

I love the neck on Alembic neck through basses. The shape is different than on the set neck instruments. Neck throughs also come with higher levels of electronics by default. Beyond those differences, and the fact that the neck throughs are more expensive, I wouldn't agree that they are objectively better. That's like saying that cocobolo is objectively better than walnut as a top wood. It produces a different tone, a different level of sustain, but what defines better? Better is in the ears and hands of the bassist.

I'd love a Darling bass in 32 with a narrowed standard profile set neck and Anniversary electronics.

pauldo · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2011, 08:17:46 AM »

My 2 cents:
I would be drooling right along with David.
More importantly - I was reflecting on my past and regret of selling instruments keeps popping up.

Sure it may not seem fiscally responsible to have 'too' many instruments, but fer cripes sake I would have a Gibson EB and a Victory bass right now along with a slew of other instruments, including a zebrawood Exploiter and even an EKO 6 string guitar with a silver glitter finish on it . . . . oh the memories.

kalenzaj · « **Reply #14 on:** February 14, 2011, 05:28:07 PM »

Hey pauldo, my bro. wants to sell his EB3 with slotted head,interested? I had a black'74 Jazz bass I wish I kept.
Dfung60,The T-bird I have has a pretty thin but stiff neck, not rubbery like a Rick'nbacker I once tried.